STRUCTURE DETERMINATION OF A SEVERE NONLINEAR PROCESS: Application of Techniques to a Fed-batch Bakers' Yeast Process

The fed-batch Bakers' yeast fermentation is a nonlinear and time-varying process. A simulation model of the process has been made. Three nonlinear structure determination techniques have been tested on the simulated process: an extended Wiener-Hammerstein cascade model described by Volterra kernels (HABER, 1989), a nonlinear model, which is linear in the parameters (BILLINGS et al., 1989) and the Group Method of Data Handling (FARLOW, 1984). The objective of the work was to determine the structure and parameters of a SIS0 model of the glucose flow (input)- respiratory quotient (output) dynamic relation of the nonlinear process. The technique of Billings is found to be most flexible with respect to the tuning knobs, the choice of model structure and the estimation of the parameters. Note that all techniques can be applied to any other nonlinear process

The effect of bitter, umami and sweet tastants on the food intake regulation

Background. In the past decades, the prevalence of obesity and overweight has risen to epidemic dimensions. Nowadays, there is a great demand for new and efficient treatments to decrease this prevalence. Literature revealed, that the gastrointestinal tract contains taste receptors, similar to those present on the tongue, which may have an influence on the regulation of food intake and energy expenditure. However the exact working mechanism is unknown. Objective. This study investigated, the effects of the bitter-, sweet-, umami tastants and a combination of those on ad libitum food intake and gastrointestinal hormone release. Hypothesis. We hypothesized that an intraduodenal infusion of the bitter, umami and sweet tastants and a combination of these tastants, results in a significant reduction in food intake and an significant increase in the release of the gastrointestinal peptides GLP-1 and CCK. Furthermore, the largest reduction on ad libitum food intake, will be achieved by the combination treatment, because this will stimulate multiple taste receptors instead of just one group. Finally, a bitter infusion will induce greater effects on the ad libitum food intake and gastrointestinal hormone release, compared to the sweet and umami tastants. This because the bitter receptor is more sensitive to sense its tastant compared to the others.Methods. In this double blind, randomized, placebo controlled, cross-over study, we tested 15 healthy volunteers (Men: 5; Age 23.94±1.97 years; BMI 22.43±0.33 kg/m2 ). The study consisted of five identical test days. During these days, the effects of the tastants umami (Monosodium glutamate), sweet (Rebaudioside A), bitter (Quinine), a combination of these tastants and the placebo (tap water) treatment, were collected. This by infusing them into the duodenum by means of a nasoduodenal tube. Furthermore, multiple blood samples were drawn before, during and after the infusions to determine gastrointestinal peptide release of GLP-1 and CCK into the blood. Finally, an ad libitum pasta meal was provided to define the effects of the tastants on ad libitum meal intake

The effect of corporate venture capital investments on the investor´s eco-innovation performance

This paper aims at investigating the relationship between firms' corporate venture capital (CVC) investments and firms’propensity to increase corporations' eco-innovation performance. CVC investments may be instrumental in accessing innovative knowledge as well as harvesting eco-innovations from entrepreneurial ventures and, therefore, an essential part of a firm’s overall innovation strategy. Using panel data from 71 CVC investors during 2010-2018, this study investigates under which CVC investment conditions firms increase their eco-innovation performance. The empirical analysis suggests that CVC investments are a mechanism to source external knowledge from ventures allowing them to improve their eco-innovation performance. Furthermore, corporations’ eco-innovation performance benefits the most when firms' CVC investments particularly target ventures in earlyinvestment stages. Additionally, corporations should focus their CVC investments on ventures that have a moderate or even low proximity to theirowntechnological knowledge base. These findings contribute to the corporate entrepreneurship, real-option, and eco-innovation literature by showing how CVC investments improve incumbents' eco-innovation performance through external knowledge sourcing

Conjugate lateral eye movements in children.

Dept. of Psychology. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis1972 .K38. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 40-07, page: . Thesis (M.A.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 1973

Chemical Composition and Starch Digestibility of Different Gluten-free Breads

9 pages, 4 tables, 2 figures.-- Published online 19 July 2011.-- The original publication is available at www.springerlink.comThe increasing demand for gluten free products has favoured the design of numerous gluten free bakery products which intended to mimic the quality characteristics of wheat bakery products. The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritional pattern of gluten free breads representative of the Spanish market for this type of products. The protein, fat and mineral content of the gluten free breads showed great variation, ranging from 0.91g/100g to 15.05g/100g, 2.00g/100g-26.10g/100g and 1.10g/100g to 5.43g/100g, respectively. Gluten free breads had very low contribution to the recommended daily protein intake, with a high contribution to the carbohydrate dietary reference intake. Dietary fiber content also showed great variation varying from 1.30g/100g to 7.20g/100g. In vitro enzymatic hydrolysis of starch showed that the most predominant fraction was the rapidly digestible starch that varied from 75.6 g/100g to 92.5g/100g. Overall, gluten free breads show great variation in the nutrient composition, being starchy based foods low in proteins and high in fat content, with high glycaemic index.Financial support of Association of Coeliac Patients (Madrid, Spain), Spanish Scientific Research Council (CSIC) and the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (Project AGL2008-00092/ALI). ME Matos would like to thank predoctoral grant by the Council of Scientific and Humanistic Development of University Central of Venezuela (Caracas, Venezuela).Peer reviewe

Leukocyte Bim deficiency does not impact atherogenesis in ldlr -/- mice, despite a pronounced induction of autoimmune inflammation

Proapoptotic Bcl-2 family member Bim is particularly relevant for deletion of autoreactive and activated T and B cells, implicating Bim in autoimmunity. As atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory process with features of autoimmune disease, we investigated the impact of hematopoietic Bim deficiency on plaque formation and parameters of plaque stability. Bim−/− or wild type bone marrow transplanted ldlr−/− mice were fed a Western type diet (WTD) for 5 or 10 weeks, after which they were immunophenotyped and atherosclerotic lesions were analyzed. Bim−/− transplanted mice displayed splenomegaly and overt lymphocytosis. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were more activated (increased CD69 and CD71 expression, increased interferon gamma production). B cells were elevated by 147%, with a shift towards the pro-atherogenic IgG-producing B2 cell phenotype, resulting in a doubling of anti-oxLDL IgG1 antibody titers in serum of bim−/− mice. Bim−/− mice displayed massive intraplaque accumulation of Ig complexes and of lesional T cells, although this did not translate in changes in plaque size or stability features (apoptotic cell and macrophage content). The surprising lack in plaque phenotype despite the profound pro-atherogenic immune effects may be attributable to the sharp reduction of serum cholesterol levels in WTD fed bim−/− mice

Challenging the knowledge base and skillset for providing surgical consent by orthopedic and plastic surgeons in the Netherlands:an identified area of improvement in patient safety

Background: Successfully completing a surgical informed consent process is an important element of the preoperative consult. A previous study of Dutch general surgeons demonstrated that the implementation of SIC did not meet acceptable standards. However, the quality of the SIC process in the orthopedic surgical or plastic surgical arena is unknown. Methods: Following ethical approval, an online survey investigating specifics of surgical informed consent was performed among members of the Dutch Scientific Association of Orthopedic Surgeons and the Dutch Society for Plastic Surgery. Results: A total of 335 responses from a majority of departments of orthopedic (86 %) and plastic surgery (78 %) were eligible for analysis. Scores on knowledge were poor as only 50 % recognized the three basic elements of surgical informed consent (competence, exchange of information and consent). The orthopedic group used more tools in the surgical informed consent process, such as instruction movies and websites or specialized nursing staff, compared to plastic surgery (orthopedic: 31-50 % vs. plastic: 6-30 %, p = 0.05- <0.001). In contrast, surgical informed consent forms were used more frequently by the plastic surgical group (orthopedic 21 % vs. plastic: 42 % p <0.001). Control of the efficacy of the surgical informed consent process was low, 36 % in both groups. One in every seven orthopedic or plastic surgeons was faced with an official surgical informed consent-related complaint in the previous five years. Conclusions: Similar to general surgeons, Dutch orthopedic and plastic surgeons demonstrate poor knowledge and skills regarding surgical informed consent. Increased awareness, better training and use of modern tools including standard forms and online software programs will improve the SIC process and will optimize patient car

A Review of Surgical Informed Consent: Past, Present, and Future. A Quest to Help Patients Make Better Decisions

Contains fulltext : 87422.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)BACKGROUND: Informed consent (IC) is a process requiring a competent doctor, adequate transfer of information, and consent of the patient. It is not just a signature on a piece of paper. Current consent processes in surgery are probably outdated and may require major changes to adjust them to modern day legislation. A literature search may provide an opportunity for enhancing the quality of the surgical IC (SIC) process. METHODS: Relevant English literature obtained from PubMed, Picarta, PsycINFO, and Google between 1993 and 2009 was reviewed. RESULTS: The body of literature with respect to SIC is slim and of moderate quality. The SIC process is an underestimated part of surgery and neither surgeons nor patients sufficiently realize its importance. Surgeons are not specifically trained and lack the competence to guide patients through a legally correct SIC process. Computerized programs can support the SIC process significantly but are rarely used for this purpose. CONCLUSIONS: IC should be integrated into our surgical practice. Unfortunately, a big gap exists between the theoretical/legal best practice and the daily practice of IC. An optimally informed patient will have more realistic expectations regarding a surgical procedure and its associated risks. Well-informed patients will be more satisfied and file fewer legal claims. The use of interactive computer-based programs provides opportunities to improve the SIC process.1 juli 201